Magnetic films on nanoperforated templates: a route towards percolated perpendicular media

We present a study on the magnetization reversal in Co/Pt multilayer films with an out-of-plane easy axis of magnetization deposited onto substrates with densely distributed perforations with an average period as small as 34?nm. Deposition of magnetic Co/Pt multilayers onto the nanoperforated surface results in an array of magnetic nanodots surrounded by a continuous magnetic film. Following the evolution of the magnetic domain pattern in the system, we suggest that domain walls are pinned on structural inhomogeneities given by the underlying nanoperforated template. Furthermore, a series of micromagnetic simulations was performed in order to understand the modification of the pinning strength of domain walls due to the magnetic interaction between nanodots and the surrounding film. The results of the simulations show that magnetic exchange coupling between the nanodots and the surrounding film strongly influences the pinning behavior of the magnetic domain walls which can be optimized to provide maximal pinning.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering observation of block-copolymer templated formation of magnetic nanodot arrays and their magnetic properties

The fabrication of bit-patterned media (BPM) is crucial for new types of hard disk drives.The development of methods for the production of BPM is progressing rapidly.Conventional lithography reaches the limit regarding lateral resolution,and new routes are needed.In this study,we mainly focus on the dependence of the size and shape of magnetic nanodots on the Ar+-ion etching duration,using silica dots as masks.Two-dimensional (2D) arrays of magnetic nanostructures are created using silica-filled diblock-copolymer micelles as templates.After the self-assembly of the micelles into 2D hexagonal arrays,the polymer shell is removed,and the SiO2 cores are utilized to transform the morphology into a (Co/Pt)2-multilayer via ion etching under normal incidence.The number of preparation steps is kept as low as possible to simplify the formation of the nanostructure arrays.High-resolution in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) investigations are performed during the Ar+-ion etching to monitor and control the fabrication process.The in situ investigation provides information on how the etching conditions can be improved for further ex situ experiments.The GISAXS patterns are compared with simulations.We observe that the dots change in shape from cylindrical to conical during the etching process.The magnetic behavior is studied by utilizing the magneto-optic Kerr effect.The Co/Pt dots exhibit different magnetic behaviors depending on their size,interparticle distance,and etching time.They show ferromagnetism with an easy axis of magnetization perpendicular to the film.A systematic dependence of the coercivity on the dot size is observed.     

Magnetic Ordering of Focused-Ion-Beam Structured Cobalt-Platinum Dots for Field-Coupled Computing

This paper presents an experimental and computational study of dipolar ordering phenomena in ion-beam patterned Co/Pt multilayers. The fabrication and the patterning of the layers were chosen to achieve single-domain dots, which show strong magnetic coupling and are uniform in their magnetic properties. We find that antiferromagnetic-like ordering can extend to as many as several hundred adjacent dots. Micromagnetic simulations reproduce the experimentally observed ordering and suggest that such multilayers are promising candidates for field-coupled computing devices.     

Superconducting Vortex Pinning with Magnetic Dots: Does Size and Magnetic Configuration Matter?

The pinning of superconducting vortices in type-II superconductors has been studied for a long time due to the wide variety of unusual flux flow phenomena and more importantly, for its relevance in applications, since vortex pinning is one of the essential parameters controlling the enhancement of critical currents. A case of particular interest is the use of artificial magnetic pinning centers, since they can be fabricated to match well the characteristic length scales relevant for superconductivity and their magnetization offers another degree of freedom to influence the pinning properties. This article reviews our work on the role of the size and separation of the magnetic dots. Furthermore, we also show that the magnetic configuration can influence significantly the pinning strength, through the magnetic stray fields penetrating the superconductor, which can be drastically different.     

Interaction between the Ferromagnetic Dots and Vortices: Numerical Calculation and Experimental Results

Enhancing the pinning force in high-T _c superconductors can be achieved by externally introduced periodic magnetic dots. We numerically calculate the interaction between ferromagnetic dots and vortices in high-T _c superconductors. The London equation is used to generate two-dimensional vortex lattice. In the matching condition, we calculate the attraction force between magnetic dots and vortices. It is found that in an ideal condition, the pinning force of the magnetic dot reaches 2.5×10⁻¹¹ N that is more than one order magnitude stronger than the intrinsic pinning force in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ thin films. In the experimental side, we use a novel nano-technique to deposit periodic submicron Ni dots on YBa₂Cu₃O₇ thin films. The current versus voltage characteristics of an YBa₂Cu₃O₇ thin film strip with uniform Ni dots are measured at various temperatures and magnetic fields. They are compared with the current versus voltage characteristics of a bare YBa₂Cu₃O₇ thin film strip without magnetic dots. It is found the critical current value of the strip with Ni dots reduces with a much slower pace as the magnetic field strength increases in comparison with the value of the bare sample.     

Vortex matter in superconductor/ferromagnet hybrids

Vortex pinning in type-II superconducting films can be effectively controlled by combining these films with different ferromagnetic nanostructures. In this article an overview is presented of different types of ferromagnetic pinning centers. The investigated hybrid structures consist of Pb films that are deposited on top of arrays of ferromagnetic dots with in-plane magnetization (IMP) or out-of-plane magnetization (OPM), ferromagnetic films with IPM or OPM that contain arrays of submicron holes (antidots), or continuous films with OPM and a magnetic domain structure. Interesting effects such as field-polarity dependent vortex pinning and the dependence of the pinning strength on the domain structure of the ferromagnet are observed. Our experiments demonstrate that vortex pinning in superconductors is strongly influenced by the magnetic properties of the different ferromagnetic pinning centers.     

Vortex Matter in Superconductor / Ferromagnet Hybrids

No Heading Vortex pinning in type-II superconducting films can be effectively controlled by combining these films with different ferromagnetic nanostructures. In this article an overview is presented of divergent types of ferromagnetic pinning centers. The investigated hybrid structures consist of Pb films that are deposited on top of arrays of ferromagnetic dots with in-plane magnetization (IPM) or out-of-plane magnetization (OPM), ferromagnetic films with IPM or OPM that contain arrays of submicron holes (antidots), or continuous films with OPM and a magnetic domain structure. Interesting effects such as field-polarity dependent vortex pinning and the dependence of the pinning strength on the domain structure of the ferromagnet are observed. Our experiments demonstrate that vortex pinning in superconductors is strongly influenced by the magnetic properties of the different ferromagnetic pinning centers.PACS numbers: 74.25.Qt, 74.25.Ha, 74.78.Na     

Large-area hard magnetic L10-FePt nanopatterns by nanoimprint lithography

Large-area hard magnetic L1(0)-FePt nanopatterns with out-of-plane texture were fabricated by using a top-down approach. For the fabrication process, ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) in combination with inductively coupled plasma reactive Ar-ion etching was used. By this technique a continuous L1(0)-Fe(51)Pt(49) film was nanostructured into a regular arrangement of nanodots over an area of 4 mm(2). The dot dimension and distribution was specified by the stamp, resulting in a dot size of 60 nm and a periodicity of 150 nm. For the large-scale L1(0)-FePt nanopatterns, huge coercivities up to 4.31 T could be achieved. By means of magnetic force microscopy it could be verified that the nanodots were magnetically decoupled from each other and occurred in the single-domain state with perpendicular magnetization.     

正负错配纳米颗粒掺杂对YBCO薄膜性能影响的研究

利用低氟MOD工艺制备了Ba₂YTaO₆(BYTO)单一纳米颗粒掺杂及BYTO和LaAlO₃(LAO)双纳米颗粒共掺杂的YBCO复合薄膜。研究表明BYTO在YBCO薄膜中的最优掺杂量为6mol%, 此时薄膜的自场J_c为1.25 MA/cm ², 在1.2 T下获得的最大钉扎力为3.02 GN/m ³。共掺杂试验中引入与YBCO具有正错配度的BYTO粒子和负错配度的LAO粒子, 两者相互作用使有效掺杂总量提高至10mol%。调整两种纳米粒子的配比发现6mol% BYTO+4mol% LAO掺杂的YBCO复合薄膜样品在外加磁场为2 T时, J_c值高达0.27 MA/cm ², 获得最大钉扎力时的磁场由纯YBCO薄膜的0.42 T提高至共掺杂的1.6 T, 此时最大钉扎力为5.6 GN/m ³。正负错配纳米颗粒共掺杂有效地提高了YBCO复合薄膜在外加磁场下的超导性能。     

Weak Delocalization in Graphene on a Ferromagnetic Insulating Film

Graphene has been predicted to develop a magnetic moment by proximity effect when placed on a ferromagnetic film, a promise that could open exciting possibilities in the fields of spintronics and magnetic data recording. In this work, the interplay between the magnetoresistance of graphene and the magnetization of an underlying ferromagnetic insulating film is studied in detail. A clear correlation between both magnitudes is observed but through a careful modeling of the magnetization and the weak localization measurements, that such correspondence can be explained by the effects of the magnetic stray fields arising from the ferromagnetic insulator is found. The results emphasize the complexity arising at the interface between magnetic and 2D materials.     

Field dependence of switching currents in an exchange biased spin valve

Current induced magnetic reversal due to spin transfer torque is a promising candidate in advanced information storage technology. It has been intensively studied. This work reports the field-dependence of switching-currents for current induced magnetization switching in a uncoupled nano-sized cobalt-based spin valve of exchange biased type. The dependency is investigated in hysteretic regime at room temperature, in comparison with that of a trilayer simple spin valve. In the simple spin valve, the switching currents behave to the positive and the negative applied magnetic field symmetrically. In the exchange biased type, in contrast, the switching currents respond to the negative field in a quite unusual and different manner than to the positive field. A negative magnetic field then can shift the switching-currents into either negative or positive current range, dependently on whether a parallel or an antiparallel state of the spin valve was produced by that field. This different character of switching currents in the negative field range can be explained by the effect of the exchange bias pinning field on the spin-polarizer (the fixed Co layer) of the exchange biased spin valve. That unidirectional pinning filed could suppress the thermal magnetization fluctuation in the spin-polarizer, leading to a higher spin polarization of the current, and hence a lower switching current density than in the simple spin valve.     

Self-assembly Routes towards Creating Superconducting and Magnetic Arrays

No Heading Using self-assembly from colloidal suspensions of polystyrene latex spheres we prepared well-ordered templates. By electrochemical deposition of magnetic and superconducting metals in the pores of such templates highly ordered magnetic and superconducting anti-dot nano-structures with 3D architectures were created. Further developments of this template preparation method allow us to obtain dot arrays and even more complicated structures. In magnetic anti-dot arrays we observe a large increase in coercive field produced by nanoscale (50–1000nm) holes. We also find the coercive field to demonstrate an oscillatory dependence on film thickness. In magnetic dot arrays we have explored the genesis of 3D magnetic vortices and determined the critical dot size. Superconducting Pb anti-dot arrays show pronounced Little-Parks oscillations in Tc and matching effects in magnetization and magnetic susceptibility. The spherical shape of the holes results in significantly reduced pinning strength as compared to standard lithographic samples. Our results demonstrate that self-assembly template methods are emerging as a viable, low cost route to prepare sub-micron structures.PACS numbers: 74.25Ha, 75.75+a.     

Control of domain wall pinning in ferromagnetic nanowires by magnetic stray fields

We have found that the depinning field of domain walls (DWs) in permalloy (Ni(81)Fe(19)) nanowires can be experimentally controlled by interactions between magnetic stray fields and artificial constrictions. A pinning geometry that consists of a notch and a nanobar is considered, where a DW traveling in the nanowire is pinned by the notch with a nanobar vertical to it. We have found that the direction of magnetization of the nanobar affects the shape and local energy minimum of the potential landscape experienced by the DW; therefore, the pinning strength strongly depends on the interaction of the magnetic stray field from the nanobar with the external pinning force of the notch. The mechanism of this pinning behavior is applied for the instant and flexible control of the pinning strength with respect to various DW motions in DW-mediated magnetic memory devices.     

Self-assembly routes towards creating superconducting and magnetic arrays

Using self-assembly from colloidal suspensions of polystyrene latex spheres we prepared well-ordered templates. By electrochemical deposition of magnetic and superconducting metals in the pores of such templates highly ordered magnetic and superconducting anti-dot nano-structures with 3D architectures were created. Further developments of this template preparation method allow us to obtain dot arrays and even more complicated structures. In magnetic anti-dot arrays we observe a large increase in coercive field produced by nanoscale (50–1000nm) holes. We also find the coercive field to demonstrate an oscillatory dependence on film thickness. In magnetic dot arrays we have explored the genesis of 3D magnetic vortices and determined the critical dot size. Superconducting Pb anti-dot arrays show pronounced Little-Parks oscillations in T_c and matching effects in magnetization and magnetic susceptibility. The spherical shape of the holes results in significantly reduced pinning strength as compared to standard lithographic samples. Our results demonstrate that self-assembly template methods are emerging as a viable, low cost route to prepare sub-micron structures.     

Magnetization reversal of antiferromagnetically coupled perpendicular anisotropy films driven by current

By inserting an ultrathin Pt layer at Co/Ru interface,we established antiferromagnetic coupling with outof-plane magnetization in Co/Ru/Co film stacks fabricated by sputtering.To achieve configuration suitable for free layer,the magnetic properties of the stacks have been investigated by changing the thickness of Co,Ru and Pt layers using an orthogonal wedges technique.It is found that magnetic properties for upper Co layer thinner than 0.5 nm are sensitive to little change in Ru thickness.Improving continuity of upper Co layer by slightly increasing the thickness can effectively increase the squareness of minor loop.The switching magnetization of synthetic antiferromagnetic(SAF) structure is achieved by DC current under an in-plane static magnetic field of ± 500 Oe.This structure is very promising for free layer in spintronic application.     

2∶17型烧结SmCo磁体磁畴壁钉扎机制

采用传统烧结工艺制备了一组2∶17型烧结SmCo磁体。采用综合物性测量系统(PPMS)、洛伦兹透射电镜(LTEM)和微磁学计算研究了磁体的磁性能、磁畴结构及磁化过程中磁矩的变化过程。结果表明:经慢冷工艺的样品矫顽力为2180kA/m,磁畴壁沿1∶5相分布显示出明显的畴壁钉扎特性,未经慢冷工艺的样品矫顽力很低且磁畴壁呈直线型穿过2∶17相;经慢冷工艺的样品的Cu元素在1∶5相处富集使两相交界处磁晶各向异性降低;微磁学模拟计算证明1∶5相和2∶17相界面处对磁畴壁的吸引钉扎导致慢冷样品矫顽力的提高。     

Deterministic Magnetic Switching in Perpendicular Magnetic Trilayers Through Sunlight-Induced Photoelectron Injection

Finding an energy-efficient way of switching magnetization is crucial in spintronic devices, such as memories. Usually, spins are manipulated by spin-polarized currents or voltages in various ferromagnetic heterostructures; however, their energy consumption is relatively large. Here, a sunlight control of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in Pt (0.8 nm)/Co (0.65 nm)/Pt (2.5 nm)/PN Si heterojunction in an energy-efficient manner is proposed. The coercive field (H_C) is altered from 261 to 95 Oe (64% variation) under sunlight illumination, enabling a nearly 180° deterministic magnetization switching reversibly with a 140 Oe magnetic bias assistant. The element-resolved X-ray circular dichroism measurement reveals different L3 and L2 edge signals of the Co layer with or without sunlight, suggesting a photoelectron-induced redistribution of the orbital and spin moment in Co magnetization. The first-principle calculations also reveal that the photo-induced electrons shift the Fermi level of electrons and enhance the in-plane Rashba field around the Co/Pt interfaces, leading to a weakened PMA and corresponding H_C decreasing and magnetization switching accordingly. The sunlight control of PMA may provide an alternative way for magnetic recording, which is energy efficient and would reduce the Joule heat from the high switching current.     

A Simple Route to Fabricate Percolated Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media

A simple approach is proposed for fabrication of percolated perpendicular media (PPM). Nano pore array with pore diameter of 12-15 nm and different pore densities has been prepared by anodizing aluminum on silicon wafers. The pore density increases from 3.2times10¹⁰ cm^-2 to 11.0times10¹⁰ cm^-2 with the decrease in anodizing voltage from 30 to 10 V. Then, Pt (7 nm)/{Co (0.5 nm)/Pt (2) nm}₅ multilayers are deposited onto this porous anodized alumina (AAO) by sputtering. The pore size is reduced to 10-12 nm after deposition of magnetic layers. The Co/Pt multilayers on AAO exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, squareness ratios of unity, and negative nucleation fields. The perpendicular coercivity increases linearly with the increase in pore density due to the pinning effect imposed by the pores, which is consistent with theoretical calculation for PPM     

Subloop Magnetic Moment Reversal-Induced Recovery Effect in Exchange-Biased IrMn/Pt/Co/Pt Multilayers

For perpendicular exchange-biased IrMn/Pt/ Co/Pt multilayers with bidomain state, double hysteresis loops (DHLs) are achieved. It is found that exchange bias field and coercivity in full loop and two subloops’ training show different dependencies on the cycle number. Further studies show that the negative-biased (positive-biased) subloop measurement will influence training effect of the positive-biased (negative-biased) subloop, acting as a recovery process. This recovery procedure is different from the conventional ways, i.e., by applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the initial pinning direction or by leaving the sample alone for several days without any applied magnetic fields. This recovery effect can be explained by the re-rotation of antiferromagnet (AFM) spins after corresponding subloop magnetic moment reversal during the full loop measurement, which cannot happen during the subloop measurement.     

Magnetism and Its Dependence on Annealing Temperature for Sputtered Co/Cu Multilayers

Magnetism and its dependence on annealing temperature for r.f. sputtered Co/Cu multilayers have been investigated. It was found that the easy magnetization axes of the films are paralIel to the substrate and the magnetic properties of both as-sputtered and annealed multilayers are isotropic in the film plane. The coercive field Hc is 4.8 kA/m and the ratio of remanence-tosaturation magnetization Mi/M is about 0.73 for as-sputtered samples. Both Hc and Mr/Ms increase with increasing annealing temperatures, especially when annealing temperatures are higher than 400℃. These experimental results can be interpreted using the ferromagnetic exchange coupling and the pinning theory of the coercivity